Customer Reviews

The Dragon Experience

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a longtime Skinny Puppy fan ("Mind: The Perpetual Intercourse" was current when I first heard them --I bought it on vinyl-- and their first few efforts are the ones I still listen to the most), and usually willing to give anything Cevin Key does a try, so when reasonably favorable reviews of this album appeared, I picked it up. I was surprised, upon opening it, to learn that it was not new material, but remixes/remasters of mostly unreleased 4-tracks from the "Bites"/"Remission" era. What's even crazier is that this is, according to the liner notes, the eighth in a series of such explorations of the dumpster behind Cevin's house. Frankly, I don't know whether or not I would have bought the disc if I'd known that. I'm glad I did, though. Maybe I should check out the stuff too good to be relegated to this comparative latecomer to the series!

It's basically 20-year-old Skinny Puppy sounds --grating percussion (though that's by no means omnipresent here), tapeloop samples of found dialogue and various freaky-[weird]noises (this is the second album I've bought this week with the sound of a knife being sharpened featured prominently on one track... weird), and big, fat, ominous analogue chords that seem to last forever coupled with chugga-chugga sequencer-- remixed, embellished, and, I assume, cleaned up by Ken "Hiwatt" Marshall, that longtime Puppy sound guy/producer/session guy/collaborator. It both is and is not new material, and I have to say that, perhaps predictably, I like the bits that favor the older sounds best.

Like previous "trips to the dumpster" amongst the Skinny Puppy discography (anything with the word `BRAP' in the title), it's nowhere near as good as the stuff from its era that initially made it onto vinyl, but it's a decent album (particularly if you like old Skinny Puppy),...

First of all, if your a fan of Cevin Key's Download this definatly worth picking up. Its a lot like a score to some obscure visions. Its less sound heavy than Download, but more into landscape painting with ambient beats. Messages try to reveal themselves in various beats. Its not too dark and more along the beats of Effector. Just a comparison to set the mood because it is definatly its own creature. Overall, solid soundscape work.

I've been listening to Skinny Puppy longer than I could say and have heard most of the side projects of ogre, Key, and Goettel. Doubting Thomas was the best, with its quiet melodicness and dark, surreal soundscapes and samples. If you liked that then Get the Dragon Experience. Like the others said, this is for fans of the band during the Bites, Mind, and Remission era.If you like Download then get Music For Cats and Ghost of Each Room, b/c those albums are pretty dissonant and I dont recommend them to Skinny Puppy fans). Stick with this album. Killer electro from early genre extraordinares!

this album is an absolute BLESSING for fans of the oldschool puppy sound, best represented by recordings like 'back and forth series 2', 'remission', 'bites' & 'brap: back and forth 3+4'. hardcore fans since pup's golden age are going to be very pleased to hear the familiar 808 hi hats, the fast-sweeping arpeggios, and the seemingly random dialogue snippets. this album was culled from unused recordings dating back as far as '83. however, this is by no means an lp of throw-aways, and cEvin key & ken marshall demonstrate through their sonic archeology some FANTASTIC finds that may have otherwise gone unheard. another insta-classic.

One Reviewer called Key the king of electronic music and I really can't think of a more fitting title for the man. I listen to a very wide range of music and can honestly say that Cevin Key is without a doubt my all time favorite musician and never fails to impress.
This cd is alot softer(alot) than what most Sp fans are used to but is just as inventive and original as anthything he has ever put out.
Highly recommend ambient cd!

If you love Hilt, you will love "The Dragon Experience." Samples, loops and synths that could beckon seizures and beats that dizzy-- there's something very tantric going on here. Completely compelling. Warning: Track 5, "Metamorphosis <theme from The Trial>", releases a nerve agent that will paralyze you wherever you are when you hear it, and "Ambient Fruit <chapter 2>" will help you leave your body to float around and spy on friends, strangers and family;) You were warned, human!

This is an incredible album. reminds me of the beautiful soundscapes that existed in earlier Skinny Puppy albums. I highly recommend it. Let it spin in the background and enjoy the vividness.

i like skinny puppy and all the various offshoot releases that are available. this didn't remind me of skinny puppy as other reviewers seem to believe. it doesn't have "the edge" of puppy. what i don't like about this release is the tracks are relatively short. with techno/ambient/industrial sounds, you want longer tracks, because just as you start getting into these, the sound is over. as other reviewers state, these are left over tracks, and indeed sound like it. in my opinion, this is not a "must own" cd. if you want to get it, check out the used cds.

With all the new electronica music, and it's use in other genres, it's nice to hear a good old pair of musically endowed, composing,programming,knob-tweaking electronic geniuses showing off their stuff. This album is similar to cEvin's "Download" project... the sythesizer patterns and quite a few of the drumlines are also reminecent of "Skinny Puppy". And always, lots of sampling here! If your a fan of great electronic music of the 80-90's... this record will make you a happy fan. Production as good as always from Subconscious Studios... and produced by them as well. I give this 6 stars!

This album truly has some of the most melodic and pure genius synth and bits (Bites) to it. Anyone who wants something as good as old Skinny Puppy should have this, they won't be dissapointed. The tracks remind me a lot of the Back & Forth series.

Shortwave Connector - 6/5 - This song makes me shiver everytime i hear it, it launches the album off and sets my mind into total euphoria. It has beautiful string tracks and is one of the best from the album.

Diagnosis - 5/5 - Deep from the heart of Bites & Remission in its soundscape, this track will take any golden age SP fan back to that age.

Destructor Beam - 6/5 - Easily the coolest song I've heard in a while, the voice sampling that sets into the beat is incredible. You have to hear this to believe it.

Running(Back & Forth) - 5/5 - Well Back & Forth now I think we know why that is in the name, heavily taking on factors from Skinny Puppy instrumentals.

Metamorphosis - 6/5 - Send me into the same state as Shortwave Connector does, it is pure beauty combined with an upsetting vibe pulsing throughout the background. A masterful piece.

Maniac Shuffle - 5/5 - One of the less intracite tracks off of the album, yet still Key & Hiwatt would never release something washed up, as they have proven to us over the years. It is a pulsing vibe and would make a great dance track, if it hasn't already.

The Chamber - 5/5 - Zones out your mind and there is little to do about it, it carries you away like a swooping hawk.

Skeletal Mask - 5/5 - ""

Dr. Seymour - 5/5 - Now after tripping out for the past few tracks, this one kinda brings you back to senses with a strong bassline to it. Now who the ... is Dr. Seymour, how I wish i knew.

Incandescent Glow - 5/5 - Ok, talk about Sparkless & Deadlines off of Back & Forth 3+4, no denying it, sometimes I think it's one of the two playing when this comes on. A great track definately bringing your senses back further.

Ambient Fruit - 5/5 - Well, we know Key wouldn't let us off the hook, no way are we gonna go out with ease with a track like Incandescent Glow, nope. And back we go to the trip and to me from the voices and samplings in the track, it sounds like it's about a girl addicted to something and going crazy. One of the best instrumental tracks around. Not going out easy never felt so good.